Here is the next of the beautiful, inspiring, special contributions coming in to the #MandalasForMarinke remembrance project. I am grateful for each and every amazing contribution.
Contributions should be postmarked by October 15, 2015. Learn more here. If you absolutely can’t meet that deadline but want to participate, please email me at kathryn.vercillo (gmail).
Beautiful Crochet Mandalas
Crafter Jenny says:
“These two mandalas, Wink’s designs, represent a small tribute from my crochet group here in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK. Several of my ladies have found their knitting and crochet has helped them through difficult times.
We all hope that your project will help to raise awareness of the devastating effects of depression on its sufferers and also highlight how much craft can help.”
Meet the Maker
These charming thread crochet mandalas come from Jenny Every, the author of The Woolly Prawn
“This book, published in 2012, is aimed at a younger generation of crafters wanting fun, short projects. It has features about knitting in society today. Subsequently, crochet seems to have taken over my life and I now teach it!”
When my daughter and I published “The Woolly Prawn“, one of the features we considered most important to include in it was on craft as a therapy. I did not know of Marinke’s work then, nor did I realize the value of knitting/ crochet to so many people suffering with depression.
Wink’s brilliant color work and designs deserve to be celebrated; in her work, she will live on.”
Jenny blogs at Prawn and Pebble, where she shared in her own post about Wink:
“I should like to pay tribute to Wink whose blog has given so many of us such pleasure and inspiration over the last couple of years: amongst many other designs her mandalas are so beautiful and only a few weeks ago some of my lovely crochet ladies were practising their crochet-in-the-round skills from Marinke’s patterns.
I find it amazing that all around the world, through the Internet, we crafters can feel so in touch with others who share our passion and enthusiasm – I don’t think I’m alone in saying that we love to read about their projects and see their designs.
We know too of the huge benefits that craft can bring to those who are going through difficult times – sadly, crochet could not save Marinke from her severe depression although it had done once previously. Our hearts go out to her family and friends at this most difficult time.”
Words by Wink
Wink encouraging and humbly said of her butterfly peacock crochet mandala pattern:
“This pattern is for intermediate crocheters. It gets a bit overwhelming at times, so it’s probably a good idea to read over it a couple of times before beginning. But if I can do it, so can you! :)”
About Depression
One purpose of this project is to raise awareness about depression so each post ends with some facts, thoughts or quotes about depression, suicide and/or mental health. Today I thought I’d remind you that mindfulness and meditation can be hugely helpful in battling depression and crochet can be a great tool for mindfulness and meditation. Here are some links to articles I’ve written on this topic, including meditative crochet exercises, which you can find more of in Crochet Saved My Life
- 5 tips for crochet as meditation
- How crochet can help with mindfulness practice
- 10 tips for more mindful crochet
- Simple mindfulness crochet exercise
- How to crochet for mindfulness and be mindful in crochet
- Tip: use crochet mindfulness cues
All contributions to Mandalas for Marinke are so appreciated. They help raise awareness about depression while honoring her work in the same way that this great contribution has done today.
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